Clinton, Judeh Hope Lebanese Will Sustain Independence, Sovereignty

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday that Lebanese rather than foreigners should decide the country's future.

The United States has warned of effects on bilateral relations after billionaire businessman Najib Miqati was named premier-designate with the support of Hizbullah and its allies.

Clinton, holding a joint news conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, said the two "expressed our hopes that it will be the people of Lebanon themselves, not outside forces, that will sustain the independence and sovereignty of Lebanon."

Clinton said she supported Jordan's "call for Lebanon to maintain its national unity, security and stability."

The previous U.S.-allied government of Saad Hariri was brought down over its refusal to disavow an international tribunal probing the 2005 assassination of his father, ex-premier Rafik Hariri.